Supporting Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Donors Charities.

Monday, 6 July 2009

Despite leukaemia, 20-yr-old scores first class in BCom

When the going got tough, 20-year-old Bhakti Galiya, got going. Bhakti, a student of Mithibai College who has leukaemia since three years, has just passed her BCom exam with 62 per cent marks.This, despite juggling studies, visits to doctors and coping with the stress of an illness.“A few months before the exam, I was nervous, but I was sure I had to appear,” said Bhakti, the determination in her voice evident.“Thanks to the support from my professors, friends and family members, I soldiered on,” said Bhakti.She has had to complete nine cycles of treatment that included 30 chemotherapies and nine radiation sessions.Also, the treatment cost was too steep for Bhakti’s family. Her father, Umesh, is a real estate agent. They live in Jogeshwari (East).Due to the stigma attached to her disease, she lost out on many of her school and college friends. “Now I am left with only two college friends who have been there for me through thick and thin,” Bhakti said.Her best friend Kinjal Shah, said: “I have learnt a lot from Bhakti. She is an inspiration for me.”Her professors too have a word of praise for Bhakti.“During my 22 years of teaching, I have not come across anyone like her,” said Professor Sonali Chatterjee. “She did not opt for a writer despite having difficulty writing papers.”She now aspires to do an MBA, after which she hopes to reach out to cancer patients in whatever way she can.Today, Bhakti’s ailment is down from 77 per cent to two per cent although she has been advised to continue chemo-therapy at regular intervals.“One should never lose hope,” is Bhakti’s credo in life.Bhakti believes her family’s encouragement has helped translate her dreams into reality.“We do not know what life has in store,” said Bhakti’s mother, Geeta. “But, as parents we want to make her strong enough to face anything that comes her way.”

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Scirocco 2 Morocco 2008.An overview of the challenge.

Hi there, my names Andy Ward,I am a Life Support Systems Medical Engineer at an NHS Hospital.....and I just happen to have Chronic Leukaemia!.

Welcome to my Blog Page which was produced to publicise a trip from the UK to North Africa that my good friend (and fellow NHS collegue) Glen and I undertook in September 2008 driving my trusty 21 year old VW Scirocco named "Scarlett" :-)

*Car and Trailer Information

1987 Scirocco Scala 1.8 Ltr Carburettor donated to me by a chap named Steve from Leicester in June 2007.

The Trailer is made from the rear end of a 1989 Scirocco GT2 which was donated by a guy from Derby in 2008.The conversion work was done by ASMech Engineering in Mansfield.

The car and Trailer were resprayed (free of charge) by AW Accident Repair Centre in Sleaford.AW also repaired the car in April-June 2008 after it received frontal damage in an accident.

The graphics for the cars first 2 missions (Roc Around the Clock in 2007 and in 2008 Scirocco 2 Morocco) were done by Lee of Custom Vinyl Graphics in Anwick. The most recent set of vinyl's have been fitted by "Biff" of PawPrint Graphics in Newark.

Wheels for the Scirocco 50LLR Project have been sorted by John Leeson of WheelCraft in Heckington with some support from Kumho Tyres and Team Dynamics Alloys.

The donation of a set of 4 new tyres plus invaluable assistance keeping the Scirocco on the road for the last 3 years has been down to the amazing support of PITSTOP GARAGE in Sleaford.Thanks to all of you :-)

The Design for the Scirocco 50 LLR Project was devised by Benn Perry of West Nottinghamshire College.

Since our return from the trip, during which we managed to almost get to Morocco (Ended up finishing in Gibraltar due to ferry costs!), I am now using this blog to promote the task of recruiting people to the bone marrow and cord blood registers and also to report news about Leukaemia and Lymphoma issue's, with the occasional "off topic" section just to keep you interested!.It's great to be able to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the Anthony Nolan Trust, but at the end of the day money is not enough.We need to dispel the myths and misconceptions about donating bone marrow and cord blood so that more people will sign up to give "The gift of life".

Thanks.Andy :-)

(NB.The views held within this blog are my own, and do not in any way reflect the opinions or legislation of my employers or other agencies mentioned within it's text)

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